Bhubaneswar, Jan 6: In an effort to combat deteriorating air quality, the Odisha government on Tuesday announced a temporary ban on all construction activities in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The decision comes after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the state capital slipped into the “very poor” category, raising serious health concerns.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the restriction will be enforced daily from 6 pm to 10 am and will apply to both government and private construction projects. He added that key agencies, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the State Works Department, have already been informed about the decision.

Meanwhile, civic and development authorities have intensified pollution-control measures. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have issued strict guidelines to builders, directing them to cover construction materials during transportation, sprinkle water regularly at worksites, and use temporary roads or paver blocks to minimise dust generation.

BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana warned that violators would face stringent action, including suspension of approved building plans. “We are determined to ensure that construction activities do not further aggravate air pollution in the city,” she said.

Similar restrictions had earlier been imposed in Talcher in Angul district and in Balasore as part of the state’s broader pollution-control efforts.

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